In this day of self-publishing, anyone can get a book published, and anyone can be an author.

I was taught in journalism school that this was “vanity publishing,” and it was frowned upon by serious journalists. Economics being what they are in the year 2010, there are those who might state otherwise.  But, if you can get a real publishing house to publish your book, I’d say you’ve arrived.

So kudos to Southlake’s Connie Cooley whose tome, Images of America: Southlakehas been published by Arcadia Publishing. Connie, big in the Southlake Historical Society, has gathered more than 175 photos and maps to record Southlake’s history.

She’s dedicated the book to the late Jeroll Shivers, a loyal and enthusiastic member of the historical society whose roots ran deep in Southlake. In her book, she traces the town’s history from its western heritage in 1840 to its prosperous future.

Of course all this is cause for celebration, and as certain as the Southlake Dragons are to make it to playoffs, a party is planned. The whole town and even Dragon rivals are invited to eat barbecue and talk Southlake history from 6 to 8:30 p.m. March 1 at the Feedstore BBQ, 530 S. White Chapel, Southlake. Books will be on sale for $21.99 plus $1.80 sales tax, cash or checks only. The author, along with historical society members, will be there to talk about the book and answer questions. Heck, the kids even will get a free adventure sheet that will guide them on a historical tour of Southlake.

Anyone wanting their own book signing can contact Connie at 817-223-9606. For more info on Southlake’s history, even that history not pertaining to football championships, can check www.southlakehistory.org.

It was only Dec. 22–three days before Christmas–but Terri Staudt received an early Christmas gift.

Maybe Santa knew it hadn’t been her best year and he wanted to see her smile.

For Terri, 2008 has been a difficult year. She’s just come off major back surgery, and two weeks ago her mother suffered a major heart attack. She recently returned to her job at Charles Schwab in Southlake Town Square, though, and had been tearing up the highway between Southlake and Round Rock, where her mother was hospitalized.

No matter what was happening in her personal life, Terri still wanted to support the Southlake Historical Society, reports Constance Cooley, a major player in the town’s historical society (www.southlakehistory.org). So when the Southlake Historical Society sold raffle tickets for a one-of-a-kind pendant, Terri plopped down a new hundred dollar bill and bought five raffle tickets from Constance.

The raffle prize was certainly an eye-catcher. The necklace, designed by Pieter Andries Hye (www.pieterandries.com), combined 14K gold and sterling silver with 24 diamonds and a ruby. Raffle tickets were sold until 3 p.m. Dec. 22, and the winner was chosen at 3 p.m. that day at Southlake’s public library.

And the winner? Terri Staudt. Wonder if she’s stopped smiling yet?